Medical Report: Teen Smoking

In 1996, the federal government passed legislation ordering the states to pass - and enforce - laws that prohibited tobacco sales to minors. New research shows these laws have been a success, helping drive down teen smoking to its lowest level since 1991. Researchers from the University of Massachusetts Medical School examined rates of teen smoking after the laws went into effect. They found a direct link between enforcement of the tobacco sales laws and a reduction in youth smoking. States test tobacco retailers by sending in decoy shoppers with underage identification.

Since the states have begun such testing, retailers have vastly reduced their sales to minors. Enforcement of the laws led to a 21% decline in smoking among 10th graders . Researchers say other factors have contributed to the reduction in teen smoking as well, including higher prices on cigarettes, and bans on smoking in public places. Experts are encouraged by the findings but say youth smoking remains a problem - despite recent progress, more than 12 per cent of American teenagers still smoke.